Cenchrus americanus

Veldkamp, J. F., 2014, A revision of Cenchrus incl. Pennisetum (Gramineae) in Malesia with some general nomenclatural notes, Blumea 59 (1), pp. 59-75 : 65-66

2. Cenchrus americanus (L.) Morrone

Cenchrus americanus (L.) Morrone in Chemisquy et al. (2010) 127. — Cenchrus americanus Panicum americanum [ Clusius (1601) 215, f., nom. inval.] L. (1753) 56. — Pennisetum americanum K.Schum. [in Engl. (July 1895 b) 51, nom. inval.] ex Leeke (1907) 52. — Lectotype: Clusius’ plate, designated by Clayton & Renvoize (1982: 672). — Epitype: Herb. Van Royen s.n. (L, sh. 908.93-181, IDC microfiche BT-341), designated by Soreng & Pennington (2003: 312).

Panicum glaucum L. (1753) 56,non Cenchrus glaucus C.R.Mudaliar & Suda- raraj (1957). — [ Pennisetum glaucum R.Br. (1810) 195. — Setaria glauca P.Beauv.(1812) 51, 169, 178. — Chamaeraphis glauca Kuntze (1891) 767. — Ixophorus glaucus Nash (1895) 423. — Chaetochloa glauca Scribn. (1897) 39. — Setariopsis glauca Samp.(1914) 4. — Lectotype: Herb. Hermann 3, 17, fol. 44 (holo BM), designated by Rauschert (1973: 662).

Holcus spicatus L. (1759) 1305. — [ Gramen alopecuroides spica maxima Ind. orient. Pluk. (1691) 174, t. 32, f. 4. — Gramen paniceum s. Panicum sylvestre maximum indiae orient. Pluk. (1696) 164, nom. inval.]. — Alopecurus typhoides Burm.f. (1768) 27, nom. superfl. — Cenchrus spicatus Cav. (1802) 304; Kuntze (1898) 346, isonym. — Pennisetum typhoides Rich. (1805) 72 ( ‘ typhoideum ’); Stapf & C.E.Hubb. (1933) 271, isonym, nom. superfl. — Penicillaria spicata Willd. (1809) 1037. — Panicum spicatum Roxb. (1814) 7. — Penicillaria plukenetii Link (1827) 221, nom. superfl. (‘ plukeneti ’). — Penicillaria typhoides Schltdl. (June 1853) 559, nom.superfl.;Fig.& De Not.(1853) 55 (‘ typhoidea ’), isonym. — Penicillaria indica A. Braun (1855) 26, nom. superfl. — Pennisetum spicatum Korn. in Korn.& Werner (1885) 284. — Pennisetum spicatum Korn.var. typhoideum T. Durand & Schinz (1894) 785. — Pennisetum americanum K.Schum. ex Leeke subsp. typhoideum Maire & Weiller (1952) 339. — Pennisetum americanum K.Schum. ex Leeke convar. spicatum et typhoides Tzvelev (1971) 72. — Lectotype: Plukenet,Phytographia 1 (1691) t. 32,f. 4, designated by Davidse (1994: 363), to be replaced by Herb. Linn. 1212.1 (holo LINN), designated here.

Annuals. Culms erect to geniculate at base, not rooting in the decumbent nodes, 0.6–3 m long (or more), nodes glabrous to pilose (the lower sometimes with prop roots). Ligule a setose rim, c. 0.15 mm long, setae c. 2.25 mm long. Blades flat, 15 –100 (or more) cm by 8–70 mm, margins scaberulous. Peduncle pilose below the panicle. Panicle exserted, many-spikeled, cigar-shaped, 3–200 or more cm long, common axis pubescent. Involucre stipitate, not disarticulating at base. Bristles many, rather stiff, the inner ones pilose, one often distinctly longer than the others, 2–7 mm long, longest bristle 5–25 mm long. Spikelets 1– 9 within the involucre, disarticulating in between, pedicelled, 3–6 mm long. Lower glume 0–1.5 mm long, 0–0.6 times as long as the upper glume; upper glume 0.5–2 mm long, faintly 1–3-nerved. First lemma epaleate to paleate, male, emarginate to acuminate, membranous, 3–5-nerved, pubescent on the margins, nerves scaberulous; second lemma 1.5–4 mm long, emarginate to obtuse, indurated.Anthers 2–4 mm long, apex penicillate. 2n = 14, also 15, 21, 28.

Distribution — This grain crop has probably evolved between 3000–2000 BC in the Sahel area of Africa by domestication of C. violaceus (Lam.) Morrone , an aggressive weed from W Africa, still used as a so-called famine cereal. Except for some specimens from experimental plots I have seen no field records from Malesia.

Some strains are very tolerant to drought, more than Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench.

Habitat — Fields.

Uses — See also De Wet (1995), Oyen & Andrews (1996) and Lost crops of Africa ( National Research Council, USA, 1996). Sixth most important cereal of the world, domesticated 4000–5000 years ago in the Sahel area, South of the Sahara. Thought to have crossed over to Asia 3000 years ago, and now in India the fourth most important cereal. Presently in Africa, India, and some other parts of the world an important staple food grain comparable to maize, rice, sorghum, and wheat. Best cereal under marginal conditions in harsh, hot (above 30 °C), arid areas, needing relatively low moisture, possibly because it roots deeper than most other plants. Easy to grow, suffering less from various pests. The green ears may be roasted like young maize cobs. Grains used roasted, in porridges, couscous, for chest disorders, as an anthelminthic; used to treat leprosy, blennorrhoea, and poisonings. They can also be popped for snacks. The flour is used for unleavened bread (‘chupatty’), and fermented foods ‘kisra’ or ‘galettes’. Dark coloured grains are used for beer and other beverages. However, its dehulling produces relatively low yields of flour, and it has poor storage stability. As a fodder it is considered to be mediocre to good. Sometimes infected by ergot and some forms produce hy- drocyanic acid. Culms used for screens, divans, roofing, fuel, basketry, paper. Red and purple flowered forms produce a red dye. Bran is used in poultices, and in a massage for kidney pains.

Vernacular names — Bajra ( India), Bulrush millet, Cattail millet, Pearl millet, Spiked millet.

Notes — A very polymorphic species with a very involved nomenclature, which at present seems best resolved by adopting the name used here. See also Schlechtendal (1853), Terrell (1976), and Brunken (1977).

Hybrids with P. purpureum have been cultivated as fodder, e.g. in the Philippines.